The courts of appeals are established by Article IV, Section 1 of the Ohio Constitution, and their jurisdiction is
outlined in Article IV, Section 3. As intermediate level appellate courts, their primary function is to hear appeals
from the common pleas, municipal and county courts. Each case is heard and decided by a three-judge panel.

The state is divided into twelve appellate districts by Article IV, section 3 of the Ohio Constitution and section
2501.01 of the Revised Code. Each district is served by a court of appeals that sits in each of the counties in that
district. The number of judges in each district depends on a variety of factors, including the court's caseload and
the size of the district. The number of judges in each district varies from four to twelve.

In addition to their appellate jurisdiction, the courts of appeals have original jurisdiction, as does the Supreme
Court, to hear applications for writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, procedendo, prohibition and quo warranto. The
Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County also hears appeals from the Ohio Court of Claims.

As of 2016, there are 69 court of appeals judges. Court of appeals judges are
elected in even-numbered years to six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot. Appellate
judges must be attorneys with at least six years of experience in the practice
of law. The Governor makes appointments to fill vacancies in courts of appeals
that occur between elections.